1) Jesus grew up normally as a child, learning from his mother Mary and Joseph according to the customs of Jewish tradition. He attended school and learned to read, write, and memorize scripture. 2) As Jesus learned and grew, he was guided from heaven in unique ways. He observed nature and increased in wisdom while waiting upon the Lord and serving others. 3) The document provides context about Jesus' birth and childhood to encourage living as he did, increasing in favor with God and man through learning, serving, and following heavenly guidance.

1. “Unto You is Born…a
Savior”Gospel Doctrine Lesson 3: Luke 2, Matthew 2

2. Introduction
Story of the wise men
They knew the astronomy but
didn’t know the prophesy so
they went to Harod
Matt 2:4-6
What did those scribes do?
What did the wisemen do?
It’s not enough to know the story

3. History
Last week: Covered the Annunciation and the
story of John the Baptist
This week’s purpose: To encourage class
members to rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ
and follow the example he set in his youth,
“[increasing] in wisdom and stature, and in favour
with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

4. Luke 2: Jesus Christ is
born
1-4: Taxes were related to
property
Distance is 80 miles
5-6: Three stages of marriage
1. Promise (in front of
witnesses)
2. Espousal (contracts signed,
husband builds a home)
3. Marriage (bridegroom story)

5. Luke 2: Jesus Christ is
born
7: “Brought forth”
No mid-wife, no mom, no sisters
Swaddling bands (5” linen strips)
Made by the bride-to-be while the
husband worked on the house
Showed lineage of both families
Had to be perfect on both sides
Used in the marriage ceremony

6. Luke 2: Angels & Many Others
Rejoice at Jesus’ Birth
8-9: Only two scenarios explain why
they were keeping watch
It was birthing season
They were sacrificial sheep
(McConkie)
Shepherds were blue collar,
considered unclean because they
worked on the Sabbath, often young
10-12: Jews expected a King

7. Luke 2: Angels & Many Others
Rejoice at Jesus’ Birth
13-14: What did the angels announce?
How has Jesus glorified the Father?
Has the earth found peace?
John 14:27
Joseph B. Wirthlin: “Be assured that there is a safe harbor. You can find
peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Your Heavenly Father—who
knows when even a sparrow falls—knows of your heartache and suffering.
He loves you and wants the best for you. Never doubt this. While He allows
all of us to make choices that may not always be for our own or even others’
well-being, and while He does not always intervene in the course of events,
He has promised the faithful peace even in their trials and tribulations.”

8. Luke 2: What did the shepherds
do?
15-16: They left with haste!
They didn’t find a sub, or
worry about the sheep.
Why not? What did they
see there?
17-18, 20: Steps of the
Shepherd
1. Learn, 2. Witness,
3. Testify, 4. Return

9. Luke 2: Simeon’s Witness
22-24, 40 days of purification (80 for
girls)
25-27, He came by the Spirit
How had he prepared?
What level in society was he?
28-32, Who did he announce this to?
33-35, Why did they marvel? What is
he teaching Mary about Jesus’
destiny?

10. Luke 2: Anna’s witness
36-37: She was married for 7 years
and a widow for 84 years.
What class of woman was she?
38: She would have stayed in the
court of the women
The scriptures don’t say that she
“saw” anything.
Witnesses so far: Young, old, poor,
middle-class, humble, wise, male,
female

13. Matt 2: Wise men come to worship
the child Jesus. Herod seeks to kill
him.
History: Who was Herod?
Similar to Henry VIII
1-3: Why did they come (2)?
What does that tell us about them?
8-10: The light moves ahead of them

14. Matt 2: Wise men come to worship
the child Jesus.
11: Their first gift is humility
Gold: symbol of Kingship
Frankincense: symbol of Diety/Priesthood
Myrrh: symbol of Death/suffering
12-15: Flight into Egypt
How are we warned today? Mary didn’t receive this
vision. Why?

15. Luke 2: Guided by the Father,
Jesus prepares in his youth for his
ministry
39-40: Waxed strong
To increase (or decrease)
over time
41-46: 12 is the age of
manhood
JST - they were asking
47-50: Two uses of “Father”

16. Bruce R. McConkie
"He was as much the product of the mother who bare him as were her other children. As a babe he
began to grow, normally and naturally, and there was nothing supernatural about it. He learned to
crawl, to walk, to run. He spoke his first word, cut his first tooth, took his first step--the same as other
children do. He learned to speak; he played with toys like those of his brothers and sisters; and he
played with them and with the neighbor children. He went to sleep at night and he awoke with the
morning light . . . .
He learned to speak, to read, to write; he memorized passages of scripture, and he pondered their
deep and hidden meanings. He was taught in the home by Mary, and then by Joseph, as was the
custom of the day. Jewish traditions and the provisions of the Torah were discussed daily in his
presence. He learned the Schema, reverenced the Mezuzah, and participated in prayers, morning,
noon, and night. Beginning at five or six he went to school, and certainly continued to do so until he
became a son of the law at twelve years of age . . . .
It is also apparent that Jesus learned much from nature--from observing the lilies of the field, the birds
of the air, and the foxes that have holes for homes . . . .
Further: in his study, and in the learning process, he was guided from on high in way that none other
has never been."

17. How did he learn?
JST Matthew 3:24-26 (784)
1. Gained strength
2. Waited upon the Lord
3. Served
4. Set himself apart
D&C 93:19-20
How can we do the same?